About REPLAB 2025

This year marks the 5th anniversary of the Laboratory for Reputation Management in Education (RepLab), established at the St Petersburg School of Social Sciences and Area Studies, HSE University–Saint Petersburg. RepLab was created to embody one of the core strategic directions outlined in the HSE Strategic Development Programme: "Research and Inventions: Interdisciplinary, Partnership, Integration." At the end of 2023, RepLab expanded its international collaboration by launching the Satellite Laboratory on Social Entrepreneurship, a project dedicated to advancing global research and practical studies in social entrepreneurship.

RepLab is an innovative and human-centered research platform dedicated to studying and practicing reputation management within educational institutions. Since its inception, the Lab has fostered a vibrant, creative space where students at all academic levels engage actively, gaining practical experience and contributing directly to research and applied projects.

The Laboratory’s main areas of focus include:

1. Comparative Analysis of Universities' Reputation Management Practices: This research direction investigates how universities construct and manage their reputations. Comparative studies identify prevailing trends and best practices across diverse educational contexts.

2. Sustainability Management at World-Class Universities: Here, RepLab explores successful strategies and methodologies employed globally to manage sustainability effectively within academic institutions. This includes innovative educational practices, management approaches, and organizational structures that facilitate sustainability.

3. Applied Research on University Campus Development: RepLab analyzes university campus infrastructure, emphasizing how physical spaces—including non-academic areas—can enhance student creativity, ergonomics, social integration, and well-being.

4. Implementation of Universities' Social Missions: This direction focuses on universities' roles in regional socio-economic development. Research encompasses university-business interactions, innovative practices, curricular developments, and student involvement in social initiatives.

5. Student and Postgraduate Well-being: Recognizing the increasing importance of student welfare, RepLab investigates factors impacting students' physical, psychological, and emotional health, including stress levels, work-life balance, financial pressures, and social support. By identifying effective strategies, universities can foster environments conducive to students' academic achievement and personal development.

   Additionally, research into postgraduate well-being addresses unique challenges such as heavy research demands, supervisor relationships, imposter syndrome, isolation, and career prospects. Insights from this research support initiatives that provide mentorship, stress relief, and professional development opportunities, significantly enhancing postgraduate experiences and success. Celebrating five years, RepLab remains committed to fostering interdisciplinary research, promoting practical innovations, and nurturing a supportive, inclusive, and creative academic community.